When the young adults were warned about the potential risks of having such material posted, 42% removed the risky references from their page.  It turns out they were more likely to remove sexual references, perhaps to avoid further embarrassment.

For those that are interested, the studies will appear in the January edition of the American Medical Association’s journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

source article

Schlicker said he often spent entire days on MySpace and couldn’t cope when his father cut off his access to the site.

“It felt like I was stabbed with a knife and it went straight through and … no matter how hard I pulled, I couldn’t pull out the knife,” Schlicker said, according to an interview transcript in the police report.

As with any disturbing case, one can only guess as to what exactly was going through this kid’s head.  Was he simply a crazed MySpace addict, or was there more below the surface?  In the article he says he hated his father.  Perhaps there was some form of domestic abuse, and using MySpace was his way of disconnecting himself away from his home life, and when that was shut off, he simply snapped.  Who knows.  Our thoughts are with the Schlicker family during this very difficult time.

Here is the article and video of the teenage killer.

Parents who were monitoring their daughter’s MySpace page found out that she was hosting a drinking party while they were out of town.  The parents called the police and 29 underage drinking citations were filed.

(source article)

While a high percentage of Irish parents say they monitor what their children do on the web, only 46% admitted they really understood what social networking was, despite the fact that 70% of children and young adults under the age of 18 use sites such as Bebo and Facebook regularly.

The research shows that while many parents believe they are monitoring their children’s online activity, less than half are familiar with social networking sites.

This shows a fairly large gap between what the parents know, and what their kids are actually using.

(source article)

Apparently, the young girl’s ex-boyfriend sent the picture to a friend and this friend “punished her” after a falling out.

(source article)

They talk to Nancy McBride, the national safety director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In addition to ‘just be a good parent’, they give a few other tips as well:

-Use online filters and software to keep your kids away from certain websites.

-Check your child’s web page every once in a while to make sure there’s nothing personal or provocative on it.

-And always check out the people who have access to your children whether online or in their day to day lives.

Investigators said that the girl went willinging after the predator went through the grooming process to break down her initial resistance.

State Police Investigator Joe Donohue suggested that parents monitor the MySpace activity by moving the computer from their bedroom to a public spot where they can be watched.

A quick search turns up two profiles that fit the description. Disclaimer: The linked profiles may or may not be the scumbag mentioned in the article.

(source article)

The two kids, who attended Orangewood Christian School, threatened beatings, murder, and the rape of one of the victims’ sisters.

Hopefully they’ll be given more than a Juvenile detention center slap on the wrist, but I doubt it…

(source article)

Already on probation for a robbery in 2006, Brice thought it might be a good idea to show off his weapon collection on his MySpace profile (a handgun and two swords).  His profile also featured his illegal drug preferences.  A tipster notified the authorities and his probation officer (Officer Charles Wolfort) decided to pay him a little visit.

Upon arrival, they found the weapons and evidence of drug use.  Tada!  Parole violation!

A quick MySpace search turns up one profile that fits the description.  Disclaimer:  This may or may not be the Brice Chase featured in the article (but probably is).

(source article)